What Supplies are Needed?
This is the official list of supplies that are most needed, according to the The BVI Relief Fund (BRF) press release:
- Medical equipment: blankets; pillows; first aid kits; bandage / gauze; painkillers; sterile wipes; santizer / gel; medical gloves.
- Hardware: Satellite phones; flashlights; batteries; candles and dry (plastic bagged) matches; pre-charged battery power boxes / banks; solar chargers; wind up radios; leather work gloves; tarpaulins; cleaning supplies.
- Living essentials: soap; toothpaste; toothbrushes; deodorant; shampoo; towels/washcloths; new underwear / socks; baby wipes; diapers (adult and baby); toilet paper; sanitary napkins/tampons; sponges
- Food: canned goods; dry goods; snacks.
- We request that you please do not donate clothing, medicine, water or toys.
Organising Supply Shipments
UPDATE: BVIDDM is no longer dealing with vessel clearances into the territory. The Airport Tower and BVI Ports Authority are now operational and pilots/captains can radio in for clearance as usual and receive instructions. Port Purcell is the point of entry for sailing vessels as it has armed security. PLEASE USE CAUTION when approaching as there will be increased traffic. Inform authorities on what you are bringing in and who you are taking out.
For tower call Sat 001 881 651477455
For Port Purcell VHF 16
Many helpful civilians are putting together their own efforts to collect donations in their areas and deliver supplies to the BVI. There is a new Facebook page set up to help civilians work together to organise this: https://www.facebook.com/BVIRelief/
Details of collections that have been set up are listed on this page. Please use the contact form to let us know how and where you are collecting donations.
Tropical Shipping
What happens with your donation: Donations of PALLETIZED BULK GOODS ONLY (no individual items or small packages) can be shipped to the BVI by Tropical Shipping.
How to donate:
- Check the list of what is needed URGENTLY and where you can buy in bulk.
- Contact Tropical to coordinate receiving, consolidation, and shipping via the U.S. Customer Service Team, phone (800-638-TROP (8767) or 561-881-3999) or email ([email protected]).
- For a list of cargo receiving locations, click here: https://www.tropical.com/locations
Three Sheets Sailing
What happens with your donation: “Because St. Croix is relatively unscathed, we plan to coordinate relief efforts from here as best we can. The boating community can come together to deliver supplies north from St. Croix as soon as we can safely do so.”
How to donate: Purchase anything off their Amazon wishlist which they will send over with volunteers.
UPDATE: Amazon will waive shipping from the US to St. Croix if you call or email them.
Alternatively, send any other supplies directly to the address below:
Jennifer and Mike Simpson
PO Box 24007
Christiansted VI 00824-0007
United States
Seaborne Airlines
What happens with your donation: “Initial flights will primarily be to assist our employees at our destinations that have lost everything, including their homes. Once we have rescued our employees, we will be delivering supplies to US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Antigua, and St. Maarten. We will be collecting supplies of water, canned food, medicines and first aid kits. We will work with appropriate authorities to distribute in the stations affected as our flight loads permit.”
How to donate: “We will be accepting donations until September 17th from 10:00 am until 4:00 PM. Due to security reasons, we request all donations be brought in good condition boxes —not sealed and ready for inspection.”
Collection Centers:
San Juan, PR • Roblex Aviation Center
Ave. Jose (Tony) Santana, World Cargo Building B
Carolina, PR 00979
USVI (St. Croix) • Seaborne Airlines Seaplane Base
1210 Watergut, Christiansted
Caribe Bliss Puerto Rico
What happens with your donation: “Caribe Bliss Puerto Rico is committed to help our sister islands that were devastated by hurricane Irma. That being said we are ready and prepared to take our Vessel Tortuga (Newton 46) with capacity up to 45 passengers to either bring people from St.Thomas or Tortola to PR or to fill up our boat with supplies that are being collected right now by volunteer groups in different points of the east coast of PR. It is our responsibility to take care of one another. Blessings for all!”
How to donate: Contact Info - 787.439.1672 / 772.333.9383 - Available 24/7
(This will be updated when we have contact with some of the volunteer groups, to give details of how you can get your donations to them.)
Barging to the Islands - BVI Relief from Puerto Rico
What happens with your donation: Donations will be recieved from various collection points across Puerto Rico, then will be consolidated and delivered to the ship at port, which will deliver supplies to the BVI.
How to donate: Go to their Facebook page for details on all of the different collection points that supplies can be dropped off in Puerto Rico BEFORE 5PM. These include:
- San Juan Nautical Club
- Verdanza Hotel on green island
- Marina Port of the king in fajardo
- The SUP Shack, Ponce ( 9:30am - 6:30pm)
- Marina Fishmonger Puerto real in Cabo Rojo
- Condado, Isla Verde area: white van located on the old Velauno Store parking lot at 2430 Loiza St., Puntas las Marias across the street from the Shell gas station
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Contact: Cristina Villanueva
Phone: 787-625-7000
Other Civilian Donation Points
Allied Truck and Car Rental: Isla Verde, near SJU Airport, managed by Sofia Itturino / 340 Main Street, donations accepted on a rolling basis.
Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Association: 340 Main Street, Suite 713 Worcester MA USA. Contact [email protected] to coordinate shipments. Donations can be made by appointment. Deadline September 21.